Free Truth or Dare by Reshonda Tate Billingsley

something.
    â€œWho is her family?” Kennedi asked.
    â€œRumor has it that they are in the mafia,” Sheridan said.
    â€œIt ain’t a rumor,” Shay said.
    â€œMafia?” Kennedi replied.
    â€œYes. I heard her brother Lyn tried to get this meat packer in downtown Miami to pay some money he owed and the guy tried to stiff him. Workers came in the next day and this guy was hanging from his hands and his feet, tied up along with all of the other meat in the freezer. They had skinned him alive and let him bleed to death right there in the freezer,” Sheridan said. She looked like she was telling a horror story.
    â€œWhat?” Kennedi said. “Are you serious?”
    â€œThat’s just a rumor. We don’t even know if that’s true,” I said, just as the operator came on to give me the number. I pushed the button to be automatically connected. It was after nine so hopefully, someone would be at the office.
    â€œThat’s just one of many rumors,” Sheridan said.
    â€œAnd do you really want to find out if it’s true?” Shay said.
    â€œWhatever,” I said. “Evian’s people need to be down here looking for her. This has nothing to do with me.”
    My heart actually started racing when I heard someone say, “Hello, Middle Eastern Cuisine Corporate Office.”
    â€œYes. I need to speak with Clinton Javid, the owner. This is a friend of his sister, Evian. It’s pretty important,” I said.
    â€œYes, this is Mr. Javid’s assistant, Delana,” the woman who answered said. “How may I help you?”
    â€œWell I’m trying to get in touch with Mr. Javid,” I replied. “It’s in regards to Evian.”
    The woman paused. “Evian’s not available.”
    â€œI know that. I’m not looking for Evian,” I told the woman. “I’m actually here with her.”
    â€œMr. Javid is in a meeting.”
    â€œWell, this is important. Evian is kind of ummm . . . she’s kind of. . . .”
    â€œWhat?” the woman said, panicked. Her voice suddenly lost all professionalism. “Oh my God. Please tell me nothing happened to Evian. That is Mr. Javid’s heart. He loves that girl to death.”
    â€œNo, no, Evian’s fine.”
    She actually released a sigh of relief.
    â€œI know they’re close,” I found myself saying. Something was telling me to feel this situation out before I started running my mouth.
    â€œThat’s an understatement,” Delana said. “Just ask her exboyfriend.” The woman lowered her voice. “He pushed her and let’s just say he doesn’t have a hand anymore.”
    â€œA hand?” I said, stunned.
    â€œPeople are going to learn that this family is not one you want to mess with,” Delana said. Then, as if catching herself, she said, “I’m sorry. Let me see if I can get Mr. Javid.”
    I actually started trembling, and I didn’t even scare easily. “Um, no. No need. Evian just wanted to let him know that she was having a great time and that she would be home this weekend,” I hurriedly said.
    The woman was momentarily quiet. “Oh, okay.”
    â€œSomething’s wrong with her cell phone, so she just wanted to call the restaurant and check in . . . What, Evian?” I said. I don’t know what made me try to pretend I was talking to Evian, but I felt that I needed to clean up this mess. “Do you want me to get him? Oh, okay. I’ll let him know.” Sheridan, Kennedi, and Shay were looking at me like I was crazy. I ignored them and kept talking. “Evian said that’s fine, she’ll just catch up with Clinton later.”
    â€œOkay, well, tell her I said hello,” Delana said. “And enjoy herself.”
    â€œWill do.” I quickly hung the phone up.
    â€œWhat? What just happened?” Sheridan said.
    I let out a big sigh. “Okay, so you guys were